Ekadashi
Sadhguru tells us about the significance of Ekadashi, and how not eating food on certain days can bring health and vibrance to the body, and create the right situation for a human being to turn inwards.
WHY FAST ON EKADASHI
According to the Hindu scriptures, Ekadasi and the movement of the moon has a direct correlation with the human mind. It is believed that during Ekadasi, our mind attains maximum efficiency giving the brain a better capacity to concentrate. Spiritual seekers are said to devote the two monthly days of Ekadasi in extreme worship and meditation owing to its favourable influence on the mind. Religious reasons aside, these fortnightly fasts helps the body and its organs get respite from dietary irregularities and over indulgences. Lord Krishna says that if a person fasts on Ekadasi, "I shall burn all sins. This day is the most meritorious day to kill all sins."
CELEBRATION
This is celebrated on a grand scale in Maharashtra and Goa.
This day, a huge yatra or religious procession of pilgrims known as Pandharpur Ashadi Ekadasi Waari Yatra culminates at Pandharpur, in Solapur district in south Maharashtra, situated on the banks of the ChandraBhaga River.
Pandharpur is main center of worship of the deityVithoba, a local form of Vishnu. lacs of pilgrims come to Pandharpur on this day from different parts of Maharashtra.
.Some of them carry Palkhis(palanquins) with the images of the saints of Maharashtra. Dnyaneshwar‘s image is carried from Alandi, Tukaram‘s from Dehu, Eknath‘s fromPaithan, Nivruttinath‘s from Trimbakeshwar, Muktabai‘s from Muktainagar, Sopan‘s from Sasvad and Saint Gajanan Maharaj from Shegaon.
These pilgrims are referred to as Warkaris. They sing Abhangas (chanting hymns) of Saint Tukaram and Saint Dnyaneshwar, dedicated to Vithoba.
Yogini Ekadasi.
